11

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

Dean appeared in the bedroom, startling Jo. She was in the closet, going through boxes with Jeannie. They were sorting shoes. Upon seeing Dean bloody from head to toe, she jumped up and ran over to him.

"Dean! What happened?!" she questioned.

"Just work Jo. I'm going to clean up, and we'll have dinner."

"Just work?" she asked, confused at first. With recognition crossing her face, she added, "Who?" Dean didn't respond, but instead went into the bathroom that was attached to their room. It contained a large bathtub and shower. He chose to take a quick shower, washing Roy's blood from his body. Minutes later, Dean and Jo were seated at the table. They each had their drinks, and Dean invited Arirca and Harvey to join them.

Jo still thought it was weird, to have human rituals like eating and sleeping. However, those rituals were part of what made up Dean's human side, so she didn't complain. It was also a way for them to pass the time, considering they had an eternity. Arirca was sitting next to her, while Harvey sat across from her. A random demon served food and refilled drinks while they talked. Dean was quiet, but Harvey was very chatty.

"Jo, how are you adjusting?" Harvey asked. At first, she disliked him. Yet, over the past week she'd come to tolerate him. He was helpful to Dean, and loyal too.

"Fine. I guess," she said in an even tone. Taking another sip of her wine, she saw Dean staring at her glass. Raising an eyebrow in question, she saw him look away and back to his own drink.

"Marlie came to Dean's office today, checking if you were there," Harvey chuckled.

"Oh really?" Jo asked. Jeannie was turning into a great friend, but Jo longed for more conversation with another girl. "Why didn't she just visit me?" Dean cleared his throat when Arirca rolled his eyes.

"She can't just 'pop in'. She was allowed an introductory visit, but if you want to see her again you'll have to invite her yourself. Regular demons aren't allowed to just barge in here, this is a private room. That's why she checked my office. That's more…public, and she doesn't need an invitation," Dean explained. Jo nodded in understanding, still confused about all the different rules.

"You'll get the hang of it, Miss," Harvey provided with a smile. For the first time, she gave him a small smile in return. A knock sounded at the door and Jeannie moved to answer it quickly. A second later, she looked towards Dean with a nod. Standing up, Dean moved to the door.

"Sir, it's John," one of Dean's important demons informed him. His name was Caleb, and he managed certain souls Dean wanted close watch on.

"I'll be back," Dean announced.

"What? Where are you going?" Jo asked, not wanting to be alone with Arirca and Harvey. Dean could partially read her thoughts, and took his hand off the door handle.

"How dare you?" Arirca scolded Jo for her outburst before Dean said anything. The demon stood up and towered over Jo, his right hand twitching. Immediately, Dean appeared next to Jo and flashed his eyes red at Arirca.

"Do not threaten her. I believe she was speaking to me, not you," Dean said in a threatening voice. Arirca faltered, looking at Dean with a guarded expression.

"My apologies," the demon forced out, clearly irritated. Harvey's eyes were wide with worry, same as Jeannie's. After a few tense seconds, Dean looked down at Jo with his eyes returned to normal.

"It's John," he said, and put his hand on her bare shoulder. Slightly frightened, she met his gaze and gave a quick nod as he disappeared. She was then left with Harvey and a scary looking Arirca. Jeannie moved from the entrance over to Jo and the Queen visibly relaxed a bit.


Dean went to his office where his father was waiting for him. Two demons were guarding John, and Dean quickly dismissed them. It was going to be a private conversation. Standing next to his father, Dean looked at him expectantly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Yes," John said.

"What?"

"Yes. I said yes. Take me out of that damn cell. I can help," John offered.

"What?" Dean repeated, and was still in disbelief.

"If everything you've said is true, I can help. There's no changing this situation, so…yes. My Dean would have done anything to save someone he loves, and obviously you feel that way about Jo. Making her the Queen of Hell? Dean, that takes some serious commitment. I know there are plenty of bimbos around here, sluts that made deals, and whores that fell straight downstairs. But for you to pick Jo? That's proof that there's still human left in you. I'm willing to take that chance if everything else about delivering justice is true too," John said, giving his son the look he used to back before a hunt.

"You mean it?" Dean asked. That was the most his father had said to him since he'd been named the new King of Hell.

"I mean it," John said. A ghost of a smile passed his father's lips, and Dean couldn't hold back the hopeful eyes he had when he was younger. "I'm sorry," John said. If he wasn't already dead, Dean would have dropped cold right then and there. His father just apologized?


Dean saw Jo tucked in underneath the covers of their bed. When she noticed his presence, she sat up and looked at him expectantly.

"Well?" she asked, curious as to what John needed.

"He said yes," Dean answered, still in a daze.

"What?"

"Yeah. I guess seeing you made him believe in me? I didn't want him to accept a position just because of you, but I honestly think he believes I'm trying to deliver justice," Dean's hopeful eyes met Jo's brown ones.

"Where is he?" she asked.

"Down the hall. I gave him a room, and told him I'd see him tomorrow," Dean said, undressing before climbing into bed. "He understands the justice part, and that I'm nothing like Lucifer. But he doesn't know about the short temper, drinking problem, torturing, and heartlessness that's part of the job description for me." He looked up at the ceiling, his eyes dancing in thought.

"I know it's probably not possible, but I think a miracle just happened in Hell," she grinned, happy that she'd have a familiar face. Dean chuckled, and looked at Jo. She could see the love he had for his father in his eyes, and was hopeful that even in Hell they could function as some sort of family. "I'm happy for you," she whispered.

"I haven't heard that in a long time," he answered, and leaned in for a kiss. As his surprisingly soft lips met hers, she melted. Bringing her hand to grab at his hair, she moved on top of him and felt her skimpy nightgown ride up.

"Dean," Jo said in a serious tone. "You're not alone," she assured. "I'll always be here," she added, and gave him another kiss.

A/N: Thanks for all the continued support, as always please let me know what you think/want to see/didn't like/questions.